Tebogo Msimanga |
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) met with Eskom management in the Central Bargaining Forum (CBF), for the first day of wage talks.
NUMSA said Eskom management behaved appallingly by failing to present written submissions to the CBF. Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
NUMSA National Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said they were supposed to start negotiations at 9am, but they ended up starting at 12:45pm because Eskom needed time to write its submissions, so that it could be shared with all parties.
Hlubi-Majola said the only demand which Eskom responded to was to inform them that they want a one-year agreement, and they are only offering 3,75% increase.
NUMSA’s core demands are a two-year wage agreement, 15% wage increase, 6 months full pay maternity leave and 14 days of paternity leave to name a few.
Hlubi- Majola said NUMSA condemn Eskom for their unprofessionalism and also for their frequent delay tactics. “This is not how the executive management of a SOE should behave. It is unheard of negotiators to arrive to a session of this nature with written notes, instead of a clear presentation of their position”.
She concluded by saying this round of talks will continue this week until the 21st of April 2023.
